Paula keeping it straight on the Nevados slide

The put in for a relaxing day of play boating on the San Pedro

Tomas flying off the kicker on the Nevados

Tomas looking good off a drop on the Nevados

Another perfectly flat boof from Matt on the Llancahue

Ben coming off the kicker on the Nevados

Ben keeping it flat on the slot on the Nevados

Ben Spotting and hitting his landing on the Nevados

Cole finishing the slide backwards on the Nevados

Cole getting close to the wall on the Nevados

Cole lines up for the auto boof on the lower Palguin

Matt boofs the second drop on the upper Palguin

Matt getting his Boof on at the slot drop on the Nevados

Matt lining up to avoide the kicker on the Nevados slide

Matt looking stocked at the bottom of a drop on the Nevados

When I get back to Pucon the ski centre should be open and I will being looking forward to a few good days of sking in the morning and paddling in the afternnon.

A few first descents are also on the cards with good friends Kurt Casey and Ian Garcia.

After a week or so getting familiar with Pucon and making a start on keeping the website and social media accounts current and relevant I’m heading up to Santiago with Ben to look into buggy routes and pick up some much needed supplies for the Chiléan winter, I underestimated the severity of the weather.

Ben May Rio Huichahue

Located in the 9th region of the Araucania, the river flows out of the Cordillera Melo just west of the Llaima Volcano. It is a relatively low elevation drainage and only runnable after extensive rainfall so most likely to have juice from June to September.

Huichahue, pronounced Wee-Chaw-Wee, is a Mapuche word meaning Pull of the river´s current

The river is a 1.5 hour drive from Pucon via good roads near the town of Cunco. To reach the takeout from Pucon follow the road to villarrica then turn north on the recently paved Ruta Inter Lagos for 12 KM to Pedregoso. After crossing the bridge continue 18 km north on gravel road and at T instersection go left on paved road for 8 KM to Los Laureles. Turn right and pass through town and on other side take first paved road to the right towards Cunco. 1.2 KM after reaching an intersection turn left at sign that says Faja 6000. Go 5.2 km to the swinging bridge Puente Huichahue

The river is continuous whitewater from start to finish with not a hint of flatwater,. There are no portages and only one spot where Ben May and myself had to get out of our boats to find a line on our June 1, 2012 first descent. At the put in we had an estimated 400 CFS and by the end of the run the river had doubled in flow to around 800 CFS mostly from the additional tributary Rio Calbuco. The river is remarkably free of wood. Basically class 3+ with perhaps one class 4 rapid.

This article was cross posted from http://riversofchile.com/ an excellent resource for more information regarding the rivers in Chile.

Owner Ben May contemplating different lines for the group from the first bridge of bridge to bridge

Relaxing around a evening camp fire in the Futa Leufu valley

Fran enjoying a afternoon run down Casa de Piedra

Dave finishing the run out of Casa de Piedra

Ben dropping into Casa de Piedra

Another amazing peak in the Futa Leufu valley

Owner Ben May practising his left blunts on the Pistola wave

Ben and Fran half way down the fist rapid of bridge to bridge

Phone UK (+44) 0121 286 8579
Phone USA (+01) 703 531 8667
Phone Chile (+56) 09 91847529
Phone Chile (+56) 45 441 584

Email ben@kayakchile.net

Skype identity “kayak chile”